South Windsor Neck & Back - February 2019

South Windsor Neck & Back - February 2019

Spinal The

860.644.2437 WWW.FUNCTIONFORLIFE.COM Working Toward Optimal Health COLUMN FEB 2019

Weight Loss

My Journey to and

Better Health

Through Optavia

As a business owner, I don’t get much time for myself. Naturally, I try to shut offmy thoughts about work and our office when I get a fewminutes of downtime, but like other entrepreneurs, I’m always thinking about my next move, problems to fix, and of course, my patients. Unfortunately, the neglect of my well-being had begun to show. This past fall, I could tell I wasn’t my best self. I had low energy, and my clothes felt tighter. I wasn’t taking the time I needed to for myself. Overall, I felt — for lack of a better term— crappy. Around that same time, a friend of mine, who is also a chiropractor, calledme, explaining a new nutritional programhe was offering at his office. His patients were having great success, but I wasn’t sold yet. Then he started explaining the health benefits. As chiropractors, we have a pretty good understanding of the way the body should function and howwhat we put into it can weigh it down—both literally and figuratively. This program, Optavia, features an educational component that clues users in to how their body is reacting tometabolic fluctuations and nutrient deficiencies. It provides a strict yet easy-to-follow regimen to cleanse the body of the junk that’s been gumming up the works for decades and guides a user through quick weight loss andmaintenance. This got me thinking. Since I needed to kick start my wellness, and I’m always considering ways to grow SouthWindsor Neck and Back, I figured I should give this shake andmeal-replacement program a try.

reminders of how easy it is to fill my body with goodness while constantly being on-the-go.

Chris lost 4”inches around the waist and 10 lbs in 2 months

Optavia users are invited to stay on the program for as long as they want with products that support good digestion and nutrition. The program incorporates real food, while also limiting the number of meals in the beginning, and users that feel confident in their abilities to continue without the program can stop or start up again at any time. It’s a transition that takes some time, but the flavorful shakes and bars leave me feeling full and happy. There’s nothing worse than starting a new diet and finding your sweet tooth is stronger than you thought. Luckily, the shakes and bars taste just like peanut butter and chocolate, so you don’t feel like you’re missing out while you’re gaining somuch good nutrition. Optavia has givenme more than I could have imagined. I’ve gainedmy energy and gusto back, and best of all, it allowedme to better myself while also working toward betteringmy patients’lives. As a medical professional, I often forget to take care of myself. I would spend all day reminding patients tomonitor their nutrition, exercise, andmovements to ensure they have optimal spinal and overall health, but rarely did I take time for me. Now, I have the best of both worlds, and I can’t wait to see where your Optavia journey takes you. Learnmore about our new partnership with Optavia on Page 2 of this newsletter and check back in as I continue to update you onmy own journey. -Dr. Chris Colby

That was dozens of pounds and inches ago.

Since starting Optavia in October, I have more energy, I sleep soundly, and the scale is signaling a healthier body. More importantly, I know I’m retaining probiotics, vitamins, and minerals that will help me succeed, and I’m getting daily

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Each Valentine’s Day, people all over the world rush to the store to buy chocolates and all the ingredients necessary to whip up a romantic dinner for two. Unfortunately, these calorie-laden holiday traditions can undermine the fitness resolutions you made just six weeks before. Instead of throwing your goals by the wayside this February, why not make fitness a couples activity? The National Library of Medicine published a study showing that couples who focused on their health together went to the gymmore often and reported feeling more connected in their relationship. These findings were corroborated by a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Scientists claimed that partners who exercised together reported higher levels of happiness and satisfaction in their relationship. If you and your sweetheart are looking for a romantic way to burn some calories this month, here are some great workout ideas for two. Together Stay Together INTRODUCING Optavia! Chiropractic care is versatile, which means that our experts at South Windsor Neck and Back treat a variety of patients with both unique and routine challenges. Our goal is to not only help patients overcome these roadblocks but to also see them reach their optimal level of health. It’s always been our interest to address all areas of health and wellness, including unwanted additional weight, poor nutrition, and bad lifestyle habits. Because of this goal, we are excited to introduce a new program that we know will give you and your loved ones the results you’re looking for and need. Optavia is a nutritional education plan based on scientific practices and is designed to propel you into healthy, rapid weight loss. The average pounds lost within a month on this program range from 15–20 pounds. The program focuses on balanced nutrition with a goal to teach participants how to live a naturally healthy life. Optavia is designed to instill new habits within your routine through healthy (and yummy) shakes and snacks, not only setting you up for success but also for continued progress as you move away from the program. Couples Sweat Reach Your Optimal Health In 2019With Our New Partnership Who

Why You Should Exercise With Your Significant Other

Play Catch! Grab a medicine ball and do some overhead passes, feet-to-feet situp passes, and back-to-back twists with each other. All of these easy at-home workouts help build a solid core. Go for a Run! If the weather is nice, the two of you can lace up and hit the pavement together. You could even make a couples playlist to listen to as you run. If the cold temperatures are preventing you from enjoying the great outdoors, head to the gym and challenge each other on side-by-side treadmills. Try Some Rock Climbing! This is a great way to get a good workout while simultaneously building trust with your partner. Most rock-climbing gyms offer classes in belaying, and staff members can give you tips to improve your form. Sign up to work with an instructor and test your personal limits together.

Dr. Colby is excited to invite you to join him as he embarks on his health journey with this program. (Read more about his journey on this month’s cover!) You read that right: Dr. Colby is going through this program, too, and he can offer guidance and advice as both an Optavia coach and participant. Optavia is cost-neutral and often saves the user money. But Dr. Colby loves it because it’s foolproof! There’s no need to count calories, and it provides you with perfect nutrition and behavior modification. This teaches you new habits to both keep the weight off and set new health goals. Call South Windsor Neck & Back at 860.644.2437 to learn more, or visit optavia.com and search for “Chris Colby.” By this time next month, you and your body will be glad you did!

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Diet DANGERS

Ripple Effect

Understanding the

of a Poor Diet

A proper diet can do more than help you lose a few pounds and shed inches off your waist; it can change your life. You’ve heard medical professionals drone on and on about the importance of making healthy choices, but scientific findings show that your brain and body are begging you to do so. According to various studies, foods high in sugar have been shown to drastically affect your brain, which uses more glucose — the main component of sugar — than any other part of your body. This sudden jolt of energy gives you that feeling of a“high”right after you eat something sweet or heavily processed, but sugar has also been linked with poor cognitive ability, decreased mood, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, some studies suggest that sugar fires the same part of your brain that would light up with addiction, forcing you to crave it more. Furthermore, the extra fat you consume gets stored rather than burned, which puts extra weight on your joints. Not only is this harmful, but studies show that it also rocks your nervous system, making everyday tasks seem exhausting. Foods and drinks that are high

in sugars, saturated fats, and even alcohol content can send inflammation soaring through your body, which translates into painful, stiff joints. Inflammation can also directly affect your heart and spine. Your spine is the supercharged highway that your brain uses to send messages across your body, and its alignment can affect your mood, movement, and pain. When you flood your brain with sugar, you’re flooding its communication system, and when your joints are inflamed and your tissues carry extra fat, your alignment and spine health come under even more stress. Fuel your body with lean proteins, leafy greens, colorful fruits, whole grains, and the appropriate supplements to promote a healthy, happy body. When you fuel your body with the food it needs, your mood elevates and your energy levels increase. This will help you reduce the addictive, damaging effects of sugar and keep your spine healthy. Learn how SouthWindsor Neck and Back can help you be healthier by calling 860.644.2437 or visiting functionforlife.com.

TAKE a Break

Escape to Italy with Ragu Bolognese Angie Colby lived in Florence, Italy for five years, and she’s been perfecting this recipe since her early 20s. Since then, this Ragu Bolognese has become a Colby family staple, and it’s one of Dr. Colby’s personal favorites. We know you and your sweetheart will love it, too!

M P G D H C L W Y P H B P X X I V F G A Q O C F I S W E E T E Y P N M R V Q M S V E F K N Z N D J R E E R Y C F T Q R K F Y I A T L N R I E T A F G N O L Y T T R A E H S N L J C E S K O I N U W S Q J E O V T T L D K W R E W G L A A C J X L O M A B E K L D P P O O P J I R F E T N R U A I T W H F I T L F Z M E B S P V P R C S C C T O R A E Y V G S S U N E U K X J H Z J Y E X B N O C S R G V I K Z X M A F F R I Y O C A S A Q U A R I U S S G H R U G

Ingredients

• •

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• •

1 pound ground pork

• • • •

1 cup whole milk

2 mediumonions, finely chopped

4 ounces pancetta or slab bacon that has been ran through the mediumholes on a butcher’s grinder

1 cup dry white wine

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

• • • •

4 ribs of celery, finely chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

5 garlic cloves, finely chopped

•

1 can or 6 ounces of tomato paste

•

Noodles of choice

1 pound ground veal

Directions

1. In a 6–8 quart, heavy-bottompot, heat olive oil over mediumheat. 2. Cook the onions, celery, carrots, and garlic until they are translucent —not browned—or for about 5 minutes. 3. Increase the heat to high and brown the veal, pork, and pancetta, stirring frequently. 4. Add tomato paste, milk, wine, and thyme to the mixture and bring it to a boil. 5. Reduce the heat tomedium-low and simmer for 60–90 minutes. 6. Season the sauce with salt and pepper and remove it from the heat. 7. Serve the ragu over your favorite noodles, or let it cool completely before storing it. Ragu will last a few days in the refrigerator, and it can be frozen for about a month.

Aquarius Chocolate February Leap Roses Year

Arrow Cupid Flowers Love Sweet Candy

Date Heart Pisces Valentine

AQUARIUS CHOCOLATE FEBRUARY

ARROW

CANDY

CUPID

DATE

FLOWERS

HEART PISCES

LEAP

LOVE

ROSES YEAR

SWEET

VALENTINE

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Inside This Issue

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Getting Healthy With Optavia

Couples Who Sweat Together Stay Together

Effectively Lose Weight With Optavia!

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Food and Your Well-Being

Colby’s Kitchen: An Italian Vacation at Home

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Prepare for an Adventure in Lapland

If you’re eager for a new adventure in 2019, you’ll surely find it in Swedish Lapland. With trail systems that take you into the Arctic Circle, the northernmost region of Sweden is home to national parks, glaciers, reindeer, the beguiling midnight sun, and spectacular night skies. Though winters are cold, one benefit of traveling to the region in this season is to catch a glimpse of the night sky. The northern lights are visible from a few remote locations like Abisko National Park, one of the first established national parks in Sweden. Traveling to Abisko is an adventure in and of itself. From Stockholm, the fastest option is to take one of only two airlines that fly into Kiruna, then travel by train to Abisko. Despite the challenge of getting there, adventure-seeking visitors from around the world arrive each winter to experience the Arctic beauty. Winter attractions include ice skating, snowshoeing, and the Scandinavian sauna (this last one is a must any time of the year). Befriend a Scandinavian and you might be treated to some pickled herring or even a princess cake, a raspberry-filled dessert covered in marzipan. Arctic Circle ADVENTURE in SWEDISH LAPLAND INTO THE

Scandinavians cherish their public lands, and the trail systems are well taken care of. Hikers and backpackers can enjoy the stunning beauty in both late spring and summer, as well as a chance to see the midnight sun. Because of its far-north location, Swedish Lapland receives close to 24 hours of sunlight from June through early August. Between the boulder fields, mountains, and stunning glacial lakes, hiking here is a treat. While hiking, you may spot reindeer herds or lemmings (a small rodent similar to a hamster) racing around rocks. The Sami people have herded reindeer for thousands of years through this very land. In the summer, keep an eye out for blueberries, lingonberries, and the brightly colored cloudberries. Because of the Arctic climate, weather conditions can change quickly from sunshine to rain and heavy fog, so it’s best to dress in layers and bring wind and rain protection if you plan to venture into the backcountry.

The fantastic scenery of Swedish Lapland awaits you, no matter when you decide to take your trip. What are you waiting for?

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